Dealing with Survivor’s Guilt

We’ve all seen it happen. Co-workers being called into a closed-door meeting. The awkward goodbyes (if you even have that option). The turning in of keys/company phones/computers. The stunned silence and the eerie quiet that follows for the next few weeks.

With the thousands of jobs that have been lost during this recession, I think literally everyone either knows someone who has been laid off, or has been personally laid off.

I like to call what happens next “survivor’s guilt” (No, I didn’t coin the phrase, but I think it accurately describes the feeling). The workplace blues goes around the office for a bit, with people talking in hushed tones, secretly feeling guilty.

So, you may be asking yourself, “How can I get over this?” My answer: try to see an upside to every situation.

Taking on more work? Now you have job security. Learning a new skill? More experience to add to your resume. Look for these silver linings every time you start to feel down.

Have you experienced “survivor guilt?” How have you overcome it?